Snow Eliminator

ABSTRACT

A user-friendly Snow Eliminator is provided to readily remove snow from the highest roof tops. The lightweight snow Eliminator has a toboggan like design to ride smoothly over the snow when the Eliminator is pulled toward the top of the roof. A lightweight toboggan shaped frame makes the eliminatory extremely sturdy and durable. Two U-shaped legs extend out approximately 1 ½ feet in front of the blade. The extension of the legs provides stability and prevents the Eliminator from falling off the roof when the Eliminator is pulled down toward the eave trough of the roof. The Eliminator has a typical roof rake front blade that sits on top of the two legs that extend from the front of the toboggan back. Placing the blade in this fashion, atop the leg extensions, prevents the blade from ever touching the shingles of the roof. The blade is attached firmly to the toboggan shaped back of the Eliminator. Like other snow rakes, the blade is used to pull snow and ice off the roof as the Eliminator is pulled down toward the eaves trough. The blade can be comprised of any material. The Eliminator is designed with two angled front pieces attached to the very end of the extended legs to more readily permit the blade to dig down into the snow as it is pulled toward the eaves trough. The Eliminator is easily assembled by simply attaching the front blade to the toboggan back with fasteners, bolts or other fastening devices. The Eliminator is very easily operated. A person on one side of the house pulls the Eliminator up the roof by means of a rope attached to the back of the Eliminator at eye bolts [ FIG. 1 , # 13 ]. The Eliminator is then pulled back down the roof, ejecting the snow from the roof, by the second person holding second rope attached to the front of the Eliminator through the eye bolts at the top of the frame. [ FIG. 1 , # 14].

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to snow removal devices, more particularly, to roof rakes and other devices for removing snow from roofs of buildings.

In the Northeast, and elsewhere, heavy accumulation of snow can damage the roof and other parts of homes and other buildings. To combat this problem, numerous varieties of roof rakes were developed with long handles to remove snow from the roof tops. Because of the length of the handles, the blade of the typical snow roof becomes difficult to repeatedly lift to remove more snow, particularly after heavy snow storms. Another problem with virtually all snow rakes or other snow removal devices is the limited ability to reach the higher sections of rooftops on homes and other buildings. An additional problem with the typical snow rake is the repeated falling of the handle and snow rake blade onto the surface of the roof material, often causing damage to the roof material.

A typical roof rake extends at most 16-18 feet with the blade for pulling downward attached. Even a lightweight blade becomes very unmanageable at the end of a 16-18 foot handle, particularly in freezing conditions or when the wind is blowing. Lifting a blade at the end of the 16-18 foot handle requires a great deal of effort, particularly after larger amounts of snow have fallen.

In order to address the difficulty of repeatedly lifting the blade to remove more snow, several snow removal devices have been developed that allow the snow to slide down a slippery plastic material as the device is pushed up toward the top of the roof. Although this type of device eliminates repeated lifting of a snow blade, the same limitations in reaching higher rooftops exist since even these devices rely on handles to push the device upward toward the rooftop. In fact, all snow removal devices with handles are extremely limited when rooftops are beyond the reach of the 16-18 foot handles.

Significant problems arise when only half or less of the snow is removed from the rooftop as is common with virtually all snow removal devices limited by the use of a 16-18 foot handle. At various times of the day, occasioned by wind or change in temperatures, large chunks of heavy snow and ice cascade off the roof endangering objects or persons who happen to be standing in the path of the falling snow. After a heavy snowfall, the falling snow and ice can become quite dangerous.

Another problem with failing to remove larger amounts of snow from the upper portions of the roof is the damage that occurs as the accumulation of snow becomes heavier and begins to put significant weight causing leaks and stress on the roof materials. When accumulation of snow is not removed from the upper portions of the rooftop, sleet or rain presents a significant danger as the accumulation of snow becomes heavier and heavier. As the snow accumulation continues and becomes heavier, the inevitable avalanche of heavy snow and ice presents a real hazard to homeowners and business

It is therefore, desirable to develop an improved roof rake which overcomes most, if not all, of the preceding problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved, user-friendly snow removal device is provided to pull and remove snow and ice from a roof. This device has several significant advantages in that the user can reach snow at the very pinnacle of most buildings including two and three story structures. Additionally, the device does not require repeated lifting of a blade thus relieving a great deal of the effort required of most roof rakes. Additionally, this device allows the user to remove snow and ice from a safe distance away from the falling snow by pulling on a rope attached to the front of the toboggan shaped device thus eliminating the risk of being hit by the falling snow and ice. Because the device is made of durable but lightweight materials, it is economical and highly efficient.

The improved snow and ice removal device has a sturdy plastic blade sitting on top of the ¼″ tubular frame legs extending outward in the front of the device. The blade sits on top of the tubular frame to avoid direct contact with the roof materials. The legs extending out in front of the blade allow the user to pull the blade and snow fully off the roof without having the entire device fall off the roof as well. The blade is connected to the toboggan shaped back and frame. The blade, frame and enclosed back can be manufactured as a single unit or the blade and frame can easily be produced separately and assembled afterward.

The improved snow removal device eliminates the need for a handle to maneuver the device thus permitting the user to remove snow from heights of roofs entirely inaccessible to roof rakes with even the longest extending handles. By attaching one rope to the back of the device and one rope to the front of the device, two persons, standing on opposite sides of a building, can easily remove snow from the highest roofs avoiding the inevitable cascade of falling snow and ice from the higher reaches of the roofs of many two and three story structures.

In order to ensure that the rope attached to the back of the device is in place, a lead rope with a lightweight object such as a small rubber ball, attached to the somewhat heavier pull rope, is thrown over the top of the roof and the lead rope is pulled down until the heavier pull rope is in position to begin pulling the device up toward the roof top.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the snow removal device in accordance with principles of the present invention with the associated part numbers detailed directly below;

FIG. 2 is a top view depicting the width of the frame and blade of the snow removal device;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the snow removal device;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the snow removal device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the snow removal device depicting the eye bolts for the rope attachment in front and rear;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the manner in which the device will be pulled up and down the roof by two persons, one on each side of the house.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A lightweight, compact snow removal device designed to remove snow and slush from roofs far beyond the reach of snow rakes limited by the length of the handles. Advantageously, this snow removal device can easily be pulled up and down the roof without the necessity to lift the blade thereby eliminating significant effort during the snow removal process and avoiding scraping the shingles of the roof.

Unlike most snow rakes, the blade for snow removal sits atop the legs extending frontward from the toboggan back thus avoiding any damage to the shingles of the roof, a common problem when dragging most snow rakes repeatedly across the shingles of the roof. Like other snow rakes, this snow removal device has a blade assembly (FIGS. 2-5) with a snow removal curved roof rake-blade fabricated of impact-resistant plastic or metal common to ordinary snow shovels. The blade (FIGS. 2-4) sits midway on the device for balance with extended legs in the front to prevent the device from falling off of the roof when the snow is pulled down off of the roof. The blade is securely attached to the fully enclosed toboggan shaped back which allows the device to easily slide up over the snow and ice toward the top of the roof. The height and width of the blade are intentionally designed to ensure that the snow removal process is efficient yet not so bulky that it presents difficulty operating.

By extending the width of the blade 2-3 inches on either side of the frame, the device becomes very stable as it is pulled down to remove snow. Because the frame and toboggan back are made of very lightweight but durable material, it is preferable to use a sturdy and somewhat heavier blade to ensure that the bottom edge of the blade extends into the snow as it is pulled down the roof toward the eaves trough. The 45° angles on the legs extending in front of the blade specifically allow the blade to operate in an efficient manner and ensure that the blade digs down into the snow as the device is pulled down to remove snow and ice. The blade sits atop the extended legs preventing the blade from direct contact with the shingles of the roof.

The end caps on the frame prevent snow from accumulating in the hollow tubular frame. In order to pull the device up the roof, a rope is attached to either of the eye bolts connected to the back of the device. Utilizing eye bolts on both sides of the device increase the stability of the device as it is pulled up the roof. In similar fashion, a second rope is attached to both eyebolts at the front of the device (FIG. 1, #14), again creating a more stable force as the device is pulled back down the roof.

The toboggan shaped back is fully enclosed to prevent snow from accumulating as the device moves up and down the roof. The blade is securely attached to the toboggan shaped back by ensuring that the convex backside of the blade is matched to a concave face of the toboggan shaped back. It may be preferable to have the blade and toboggan shaped back be manufactured as one piece to avoid assembly of the blade and back.

The frame extends out in front of the blade approximately 1 ½ feet to help keep the device stable as the snow is pulled down off the roof. The extended legs and toboggan shaped back prevent the device from falling off the roof as the blade reaches the edge of the roof dropping the snow to the ground. The extended legs can be comprised of any diameter of tubular material however ¼″ pcv pipe appears sufficient.

The roof rake provides a very useful, light-weight snow tool for efficiently removing snow from a roof.

Among the many advantages of the roof rake of this invention are:

1. Readily removes snow from the highest points of most roofs.

2. Outstanding performance removing snow far beyond the reach of all hand held snow removal devices.

3. Tubular frame prevents gouging, puncturing or otherwise damaging the roof during use.

4. Sturdy frame for longevity but also lightweight for ease in operation.

5. Toboggan shaped back allows device to be easily pulled up the roof over the top of the snow.

6. Heavy duty blade allows for easy removal of snow and ice as the device is pulled back down the roof.

7. Operation of the device by ropes allows snow and ice to be safely removed without endangering the operator(s) of the device.

8. Very dependable and easy to operate.

9. Portable

10. Economical.

11. Extremely effective.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications and substitutions, as well as rearrangements of parts and components, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A snow removal device, comprising: a lightweight toboggan shaped frame, fully enclosed toboggan shaped back for riding up and over the snow as it is pulled up toward the roof top with a curved snow shovel shaped blade attached to the toboggan shaped back, to eliminate snow from the roof as the device is pulled back toward the eaves trough of the roof, said blade having a concave front and a convex back (similar to most snow shovels) for pulling and removing snow from the roof;
 2. A snow removal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said toboggan shaped snow removal device has a fully enclosed toboggan shaped rear portion secured to the blade and frame where said rear portion consists of a hard plastic or other snow resistant material to allow the device to ride on top of the snow as the device is pulled up to the top of the roof.
 3. A snow removal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein a snow blade, sitting atop the lightweight frame to avoid direct contact between the blade and roof, is attached to the toboggan shaped back to pull snow and ice off the roof as the device is pulled back down the roof.
 4. A snow removal device in accordance with claims 1 and 3 wherein the frame consists of two legs, attached on either side of the device, extend in parallel fashion out in front of the snow blade to provide balance and to prevent the device from falling off the roof as the blade is pulled downward toward the eaves trough to allow the snow and ice to fall off of the roof.
 5. A snow removal device in accordance with claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said toboggan shaped frame has upward angled ends attached to the extended frame in front of the blade, to more effectively focus the snow blade to pull down into the snow and ice on the roof as the device is pulled down toward the eaves trough.
 6. A snow removal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first rope is secured in the front at the two eye bolts at the top front of the frame (FIG. 1, #14) and a second rope secured to the rear of the sled by affixing the second rope to the eye bolts (FIG 1, #13) allowing the sled to be pulled up and down the roof as indicated in FIG.
 6. 